Family plea over “point-scoring” on Olympic Park cyclist’s death

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The family of Daniel Harris, the cyclist killed in a collision with an Olympics bus, appealed for his death not to be used for “political point-scoring” by lobbyists

The family of a cyclist who was killed in a collision with a London 2012
shuttle bus on the edge of the Olympic Park have appealed for his death not
to be used for “political point-scoring” by pro-cycling lobbiests.

Today they paid tribute to Dan Harris, 28, as “a wonderful son and boyfriend”
who was known for his sense of fun, humour and adventure. Mr Harris was
pronounced dead at the scene after he was hit by a media shuttle bus in
Leyton, east London, as he cycled home from work on Wednesday.

His death sparked a debate on whether cyclists should be compelled by law to
wear helmets after Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, who was told of
the accident shortly after taking Olympic gold in the men’s time trial,
questioned current road safety regulations.

Mr Harris’s family added that they did not want their son’s death to be used
for “political point-scoring” by pro-cycling lobbyists.

He had only the week before the accident begun cycling to and from work, but
was an experienced rider who was wearing a helmet when the accident
happened.

“We as a family would like to thank everyone for their kind words of support
over our tragic and devastating loss of a wonderful son and boyfriend,”
their statement said. “This is for all the friends and strangers who have
said some truly beautiful things about our boy.

“Everyone who knew Dan loved him for his sense of humour, fun and adventure.
He was an experienced cyclist and we want it to be known that he was wearing
a helmet.

“He wasn’t just cycling because of the high profile it has received because of
the Olympics, he was just going backwards and forwards to work as he always
did.

“In the past he has cycled across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and back. He was
from a very young age a swimmer, kayaker and generally keen on all
watersports. As a lifeguard in his teens he was always safety conscious, but
was nevertheless always ready to take on a challenge.

“Finally, our family do not want Daniel’s name associated with any protests,
or used for any ‘political point-scoring’ whatsoever by pro-cycling
lobbyists or similar factions.”

Mr Harris, who described himself as a freelance community manager with an
online printing firm, posted on Twitter under the name @gecko84. According
to his own postings, he had started cycling the seven miles to work from his
home in Ilford only last Monday.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of Mr Harris’s death as multiple
injuries. The bus driver, a 65-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on
suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and has been questioned by
police. He has been bailed to return to an east London police station late
this month.

* A cyclist was killed yesterday on the coastbound carriageway of the A2 in
Kent when he was hit by a car, police said. The 29-year-old man was in
collision with a silver Vauxhall Meriva near Gate services, Boughton, at
7.40pm.

A 50-year-old man from Whitstable, Kent, was arrested on suspicion of causing death
by dangerous driving. Police have appealed for witnesses.